Defence attorneys representing former Die Real Housewives van Pretoria star Mel Viljoen hit back at Happy Simelane’s letter of demand, describing the claims as too vague to address. 

Viljoen’s legal team, Lazarus Joshua Attorneys, proposed an agreement that both parties stop making public statements about each other. 

Simelane sent a formal letter of demand on July 14, threatening Viljoen with a R1m high court defamation lawsuit if she does not retract and delete ‘false, misleading and defamatory’ social media statements. 

According to the letter of demand, Simelane, famously known as ‘Her Majesty’ and known for starring in The Mommy Club, has given Viljoen a strict seven-day ultimatum to publish a prominent, unequivocal apology and retraction on all social media platforms where the allegedly defamatory claims were made. 

The letter states that should Viljoen fail to comply, Simelane’s lawyers have instructions to approach the high court to secure an interdict restraining Viljoen from making further defamatory statements, a R1m claim for reputational and commercial damages, and a punitive legal cost order against her. 

Claims lack specific details 

In their letter of reply, which was sent within the seven-day timeframe, Lazarus Joshua Attorneys pointed out that the claims lack the specific details needed to properly address them. They also noted that the opposing side had scrapped their first letter in favour of a revised, final version, while touching on clarifications regarding QZ Asset Management, which attracted a warning from the Financial Sector Conduct Authority and which the regulator said was not authorised to provide financial services in South Africa. 

At the core of the feud, Simelane has strongly pushed back against allegations made by Viljoen linking her to convicted criminal Thabo Bester and controversial entities like QZ Asset Management and Longrich, calling the claims a smokescreen. She maintains she was misled about Bester and insists these attacks are designed to deflect attention from an ongoing R2.8m dispute over a Tammy Taylor franchise at Menlyn Maine. Despite investing in the franchise, Simelane claims she never received the keys. 

Addressing rumours about how the story got out, Viljoen’s legal team flatly denied leaking the original letter or its contents to any news outlets. 

Defence offers potential truce 

Despite the friction, a truce could be on the horizon. Lazarus Joshua Attorneys stated that its client is willing to stop publishing statements about the other party, but only if the opposing side agrees to do the same. 

Both sides are reserving their rights to take the matter further if needed as they await a response. 

Simelane said her legal team has not formally responded to the mutual gag order proposal. “I will speak to them later this week.” 

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